"M$Man" <my_email@none_of_your_goddamn_business.org> wrote in message
news:u_0re.27286$J12.2948@newssvr14.news.prodigy.c om...
> I'm a 30 yr old man clean for 98 days. My drug of choice was coke, with a
> screw driver chaser to clean my throat after every line, I started using
> in college 12 years ago and was a daily user for 6 years. I spent 30 days
> in a controlled detox, while there I was forced to attend 12 step
> meetings. I see an addiction therapist weekly, who tells me in every
> session that I am only buying time, and can never maintain my sobriety
> with out a program. I have made several attempts to find a meeting that's
> right for me, but haven't. I am also an agnostic, and have deep issues
> with the theocratic structure of AA. I am a high-bottom addict I'm told,
> in that I have never lost every thing and been forced to live in the
> gutter and sale my ass for a bottle of Absolute. That's part of my issue
> with the program as well, its designed for people that have hit bottom and
> can go no lower, a jail house conversion if you will. While I did reached
> that point, that is, I became so disgusted with the unmanageable downward
> spiral my life was taking, I still managed to keep it together. Never lost
> my job, house, family, friends, and they have all supported me through my
> recovery.
>
> So my question is, are there people out there that have managed to stay
> clean and sober with out the program? Is my desire to stay sober and live
> to see 40 enough to sustain me? I think it is, I mean, I had the
> wherewithal to admit myself, and dry out, and have maintained for 68 days
> since I got out!
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks - Chris
>

Here are some links that you might check out for alternatives:

http://unhooked.com Lifering Secular Sobriey

http://smartrecovery.org Smart Recovery

Both of these are abstinece groups and secular in nature. I participate
heavily in the former and take what I can use in the latter. I also take
what I can use from AA. I don't think moderation is really possible for most
that have been as far as treatment for their addiction. From what I
personally know of the experience of others, moderation is more trouble than
it is worth on one extreme to extremely dangerous on the other. Yes, it is
also possible to recover on your own. I think that statistically most people
do. Since you are playing with your life, I would investigate all
possibilities before I decided on anything.

Gregg


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